BREAKTHROUGHS BLOG

July 01, 2015

Celebrating America’s contributions to global health innovation

This Independence Day, GHTC is taking a break from our cookouts and parades to celebrate America’s extraordinary contributions to advancing innovation
to save lives around the world.

The US government has long played a leading role in the development of new technologies to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and conditions impacting
people living in the world’s poorest places. US leadership in global health research and development (R&D) is a testament to our nation’s character,
our ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, and our dedication to improving human lives worldwide.

While US investment in global health R&D nearly doubled between 2000 and 2009, funding has been largely stagnant, or on the decline, since then. A
sustained and robust US investment in R&D by the United States is critical to delivering the next generation of health technologies to address
both existing and emerging diseases and conditions.

The US government contributes more than just funding to advance global health R&D.

Five federal agencies that are engaged in global health R&D—the US Agency for International Development, National Institutes of Health, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, and the Food and Drug Administration—contribute much more than just funding.

The US government has been involved in the development of many breakthrough technologies that are transforming global health.

New vaccines for NTDs—such as dengue fever, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis.

US contributions to global health R&D are having a ripple effect beyond saving and improving lives.

US contributions to global health innovation not only saves lives, but also produce direct benefits for Americans by creating jobs, strengthening US
competitiveness in research and technology, improving US relations abroad, and enhancing our health and national security.

So this Fourth of July, as you enjoy your burger and watch fireworks light up the sky, take a moment to celebrate America’s contributions to global health.
While there is much more to be done, Americans should take pride in our nation’s efforts to advance innovation to save lives worldwide.